1 . As a speaker of 10 languages I know the benefits of speaking more than one language. To start with, we need to dispel (消除) four common misconceptions about language learning.

You have to have a gift for learning languages.

No, you don’t.     1     In Sweden and Holland most people speak more than one language. They can’t just all be gifted at languages. In language learning it is attitude, not aptitude (天赋) that determines success.

    2    

Some immigrants to North America never learn to speak more than broken English. Yet we meet people in other countries who speak flawless English. With the Internet, language content is available to anyone with a computer.     3    

To learn a language you need formal classroom instruction.

Classrooms may be economical to run and a great place to meet others. They have the weight of history and tradition behind them. Unfortunately, a classroom is an inefficient place to learn a language.     4     A majority of school kids graduate unable to communicate in languages that they study for 10 or more years.

I would love to learn but I don't have the time.

How about the time you spend waiting in line or going for a walk? Why not use that time to listen to a language on your iPad? Once you get started, even 10 or 15 minutes a day will soon grow to 30 minutes a day, or one hour.     5     As I do, you will find the time.

A．That’s my experience.

B．Anyone who wants to, can learn.

C．Where you live is not a problem.

D．You need to speak in order to learn.

E．You have to live where the language is spoken.

F．The more students in the class, the more inefficient it is.

G．We simply have to change the way we go about teaching languages.

2 . Climate breakdown threatens to cause a global food production crisis. The UN forecasts that by 2050, feeding the world will require a 20% expansion in global water use for agriculture. It is hard to see how agriculture can feed the population of the planet, let alone toward the end of the century and beyond. Agriculture is a major cause of climate breakdown, and both river and air pollution. Industrial fishing is similarly driving ecological collapse in seas around the world.

However, at this critical time, farming (a new kind of food technology) is creating astonishing possibilities to save both people and the planet. Farming will enable the return of vast areas of land and sea to nature, greatly reducing carbon emissions (排放物). It means an end to the employment of animals, a stop to overfishing, and a dramatic reduction in cutting down forests and the use of pesticides (杀虫剂). It is the best hope for stopping the destruction of the planet and, if it is done right, it means cheap and abundant food for everyone.

We are about to welcome one of the biggest economic transformations, of any kind, for 200 years. Arguments continue about plants against meat-based diets; however, new technologies will soon make these arguments irrelevant. Before long, most food will come neither from animals nor plants, but from micro-organisms (微生物).

Not only will food be cheaper, it will also be healthier. Due to the fact that farming creates food products built up from simple components rather than broken down from complex ones, hard fats and other unhealthy components can be screened out. Meat will still be meat, but it will be grown in factories rather than in the bodies of animals. Fats will still be fats, but food is likely to be better, cheaper and much less damaging to the living planet.

1. What is the major cause of sea ecological breakdown?

A．Food production.	B．Global farming.
C．Industrial fishing.	D．Climate breakdown.

2. What does Paragraph 2 mainly tell us about farming?

A．Its benefits.

B．Its security.

C．Its research.

D．Its limits.

3. What will provide the majority of food in the near future?

A．Sea animals.

B．Wild plants.

C．Micro-organisms.

D．Farm products.

4. Which of the following best describes the author’s attitude to farming?

A．Doubtful.

B．Positive.

C．Disapproving.

D．Unclear.

3 . There are three things you can watch forever: Instagram feeds, YouTube videos and water. Among them, water is definitely something no one argues about, and there are many unusual water attractions that you can find around the world.

Bangkok Floating Markets

There are many floating markets where goods are sold from boats. While modern markets are more popular, floating markets still are a huge attraction for local tourism. Any visitors can purchase local foods and traditional handcrafted (手工的) souvenirs. Bargaining is a part of experience. So, start low and get the price you are ready to pay.

Bregenzer Festspiele

The Bregenz Festival is held every year from July to August in Vorarlberg. It has the world’s largest stage on the water. The performances are different every year but they are usually united by one theme. The decorations are very impressive and are worth seeing.

Marina Bay Stadium

This stadium was built as a temporary solution while Singapore National Stadium was rebuilt. The stadium was used for the opening and closing ceremonies during 2010 Summer Youth Olympics. It was a floating platform where the Formula One Grand Prix event was successfully held.

Archipelago Cinema

Archipelago Cinema is probably one of the world’s most scenic open-air cinemas that floats in the middle of a lake. The cinema was designed by German architect Ole Scheeren, who built it using techniques popular among local people. This cinema stage was built specially for the film festival Film on the Rocks Yao Noi.

1. What is special about Bangkok Floating Markets?

A．Local foods are free to taste.

B．Visitors can make boats by themselves.

C．Bargaining for a good price is an experience.

D．Performances on water are impressive to see.

2. Which one was used for Formula One Grand Prix event?

A．Archipelago Cinema.	B．Marina Bay Stadium.
C．Bregenzer Festspiele.	D．Bangkok Floating Markets.

3. What do Marina Bay Stadium and Archipelago Cinema have in common?

A．They both hold ceremonies every year.

B．They both used local building techniques.

C．They were both built for a special purpose.

D．They both provide visitors with sports events.

4 . An 89-year-old man, Manfred Steiner, has reached a goal he spent 20 years working toward and nearly a lifetime thinking about: earning his Ph. D. And now he is a physicist

Steiner values this degree because it is what he always wanted and because he overcame health problems that could have affected his studies. “But I made it, and this was the most satisfactory point in my life, to finish it,” he said.

When he was young, Steiner wanted to become a physicist after reading about Albert Einstein. But his mother and uncle persuaded him that studying medicine would be a better choice. He earned his medical degree in 1955 and moved to the US soon after.

Steiner studied hematology（血液学）at Tufts University and biochemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He became a full professor and led the hematology department at Browns’ medical school from 1985 to 1994. Steiner helped establish a research program in hematology at the University of North Carolina. He directed that program until he retired from medicine in 2000.

Steiner found medical research pleasing, but it was not quite the same as his interest in physics. “It was something like a wish that was never fulfilled, that always stuck in the back of my head,” he said. At age 70, he started taking undergraduate classes.

Physics professor Brad Marston was surprised when Steiner entered his quantum mechanics class. But he became Steiner’s adviser for his dissertation（学位论文）after realizing how serious Steiner was about the subject and how hard he worked. “He has written many papers in medical science, more papers than I’ve written in physics,” Marston said. “One thing that’s really true about Manfred is that he perseveres.”

After the university published a story about Steiner on its website, people across the US contacted him to ask for advice on how to go after their dreams later in life. His advice is: Do what you love to do.

1. Why did Steiner value his degree in physics?

A．Because it solved his health problems.	B．Because it was his long-pursued dream.
C．Because it met his mother’s expectation.	D．Because it was inspired by Albert Einstein.

2. What is paragraph 4 mainly about?

A．Steiner’s contributions to teaching.	B．Steiner’s researches after retirement.
C．Steiner’s achievements in hematology.	D．Steiner’s performances at Tufts University.

3. What impressed Professor Marston most about Steiner?

A．His taking undergraduate classes at 70.	B．His writing more papers in physics.
C．His sticking to becoming a physicist.	D．His being a role model for Americans.

4. Which of the following can best describe Steiner?

A．Active and open-minded.	B．Enthusiastic and easy-going.
C．Intelligent and warm-hearted.	D．Perseverant and hard-working.

5 . 阅读下面材料，根据其内容和所给段落开头语续写两段，使之构成一篇完整的短文。

A New Addition to the Family

For the initial ten years of his life, Victor was the prince of the household. As he was an only child, his parents petted him and showered all their love and attention on him. Whatever toys his parents bought, they were always meant for him. Whatever food was in the refrigerator, there was no one to compete with him to polish it off first. Victor could leave his toys or books around the house with complete ease of mind, knowing that there was no one who would get their hands on his belongings and cause any damage.

However, all that was to change overnight when Victor’s parents brought back his new baby sister, Lina, from the hospital. With her rosy cheeks, wide open eyes and angelic smile, Lina caught the hearts of her parents, grandparents and relatives. Everyone focused their attention on the cute bunch of joy. Whenever she cried, her mother or father would rush to her bed. She simply cried because she wanted to be carried. There was little time left for Victor.

Now that Victor’s mother had his baby sister to take care of, she expected Victor himself to do most of the chores he can do. Victor was asked to clean his own room, iron his own school uniform and clean his own shoes. Before Lina’s arrival, he had never lifted a finger to help out with these tasks. The whole family also went out less because it was unhealthy to expose Lina to the bacteria(细菌) being in the outside world too often.

Victor felt neglected by his parents. He felt that they loved Lina more than him. As a result, he tried to attract his parents’ attention by becoming resistant. One evening, Victor’s parents were called up by his teacher because Victor had got into a fight at school. His teacher had noticed Victor’s behaviour and work attitude changing downwards in the past two months. Before that, he had been a model student.

注意：1.续写词数应为150左右；
2.请按如下格式在答题卡相应位置作答。

Upon hearing the teacher’s feedback, Victor’s parents got lost in thought.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Victor realized that his parents still cared for him.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6 . The Most Breathtaking Theaters in the World

Shakespeare's Globe Theater（London, UK）

The original Globe Theater was built by Shakespeare's company in 1599, but was destroyed by fire in 1613. A replica was built in 1997 just meters from the original site. The new 857-seat structure has several modern features. It has the first and only straw roof permitted in London since the great fire of 1666.

Shakespeare's Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London; +44 20 7902 1400

Margravial Opera House（Bayreuth, Germany）

Built in 1745, the UNESCO-listed Mareravial Opera House is regarded as the finest baroque theater in Europe. The stage has a depth of 27 meters and was the largest in Europe until 1871. Much of the original materials remain, along with original structures, such as the twin staircases.

Margravial Opera House, Opernstrasse 14. Bayreuth, Germany; +49 9 21 7 59 69 22

Teatro Amazonas（Manaus, Brazil）

There can't be many theaters located in the middle of the Amazon rainforest, and the Teatro Amazonas is certainly the most breathtaking. The theater was built in 1895 and was designed by Italian architect Celestial Sacardim. Work took 15 years. largely thanks to the decision to source supplies from all over the world

Amazon Theater, Centro, Manaus, Brazil; +55 92 3622 1880

National Centre for the Performing Arts（Beijing, China）

The National Centre for the Performing Arts（NCPA）, built in 2007, is an arts centre in Beijing. Designed by French architect Paul Andreu, the NCPA is the largest theatre complex（建筑群）in Asia. The NCPA includes value in both ancient traditional Chinese architecture and modern architecture. It was specially designed to improve the red walls of ancient buildings and the Great Hall of the People in order to fit in with the surroundings.

NCPA, No. 2 West Chang'an Avenue, Xicheng District, Beijing; +86 010 6655 0989

1. Where does the theatre with its longest survival time lie?

A．In London.

B．In Bayreuth

C．In Manaus.

D．In Beijing

2. Which of the following was designed by an Italian architect?

A．Shakespeare's Globe.	B．Margravial Opera House.
C．Teatro Amazonas.	D．National Centre for the Performing Arts.

3. How is National Centre for the Performing Arts special?

A．It features modern architecture.	B．It receives worldwide supplies.
C．It is a multifunctional theatre	D．It matches its surroundings.

7 . Simple Tips to Increase Self-Confidence

Having confidence begins with having a mind full of confident thoughts. A mind is controlled by you, therefore believing only the things that will bring you things you desire. Almost anyone in the world can have confidence.     1    . It is a matter of following these easy steps.

Set goals

It’s a great idea to keep a “Goals Book” and every time something enters your mind you’d like to achieve, list it in the book. Soon you’ll see a pattern among all your goals.     2    , you begin to see simple changes in your life. There is no greater joy in life than to realize a goal.

    3    

People usually can’t tell you how you should live your life when it’s just an expression of their own shortcomings. Don’ allow the shortcomings of others to affect your life negatively. No one but you knows your interests and ambitions. Work in the direction of your true loves and ignore everything that enters your mind going against your own desires.

Challenge your beliefs

    4    . If they are not, cross them out. You may find it difficult to get rid of some of the deep-rooted beliefs, but with true desire you can abandon negative beliefs about yourself and you will realize enormous benefit in growing self-confidence and self-esteem.

Get started

Don’t expect changes right away and have patience in knowing that it takes time to be the person you wish to be. The wonderful thing about becoming a more self-confident person is that little benefits start taking shape almost immediately.     5     — as long as you continue to keep a positive outlook and display your confidence.

As you achieve confidence, and find little moments of confidence coming closer and closer, all the things you desire will come to you easier than you ever imagined.

A．Follow your heart

B．They keep coming one after the other

C．Believe in a power greater than yourself

D．When you make conclusions about your goals

E．If you maintain a confident position long enough

F．And, it is entirely easier than you may have once believed

G．Examine all of your beliefs and determine if they are in line with the life you desire

8 . Music influences your emotions. In turn, your emotions influence your behavior. One of these is your food intake.     1     What does science say about this subject?

Researchers at the University of Arkansas studied how music influences people when they eat in a restaurant. For the study, they used four types of music: jazz, classical, rock, and hip-hop. Their results showed that people had more appetite when they listened to jazz music while they ate.     2     This has a lot to do with emotions. For instance, when you listen to music with harmonic rhythms like jazz, you feel happier. This increases your appetite.

However, another study published in Psychological Reports suggests it isn’t only increased appetite that causes people to eat more.     3     A more stimuli-filled environment makes you eat more. In fact, they tend to urge you on to eat and even “encourage” you to eat faster. On the other hand, if the atmosphere in the restaurant is relaxed, you’re likely to feel more relaxed and spend more time enjoying yourself. For this reason, you’ll tend to eat less.

Besides, the study conducted by the Journal of the Academy suggests that the volume of music can also have an effect on how you eat. More specifically, the study states that, with low-volume music, you eat better because you make healthier choices. On the other hand, the study claims that music at high volume increases stimulation and stress.     4    

For this reason, restaurants should consider the fact when thinking about the optimization of their products and services.     5     They equip themselves with the technology needed to provide memorable experiences through music, greatly strengthening their relationship with the customer.

A．Does music influence how you eat?

B．Being in a rush to eat also plays a part.

C．Does your emotion boost your appetite?

D．However, they had less appetite when listening to hip-hop.

E．In fact, many catering establishments have already taken action.

F．This could prove to be quite an interesting concept for restaurants.

G．This means you’re more likely to order comfort food or other unhealthy options.

9 . On a Sunday morning, Tim Abernathy walked off the dance floor at the Barn Dance and sat down in a chair to rest with his wife, Rachel. Then something felt wrong. His _________ got tight, then tighter. He grabbed Rachel’s hand, then _________ to the floor.

“His eyes had _________ back,” said Rachel. “His lips were getting darker.” The band stopped playing. People started yelling, but nobody _________ to act.

Someone _________ did. It was Johnny “Digger” Tucker. He swiped (挥动) his fingers through Tim’s mouth, thinking he could be choking. He started beating on Tim’s chest and began mouth-to-mouth. More _________ . More mouth-to-mouth. Then finally, Tim _________ a breath. The paramedics (护理人员) came, and Johnny quietly left.

“If Johnny hadn’t been there, I would be _________ my husband now, “said Rachel. Folks say Johnny Tucker is the type of man you’d call at 2 a. m. Maybe it’s because he knows more than most how _________ life is. Every day, he faces __________ .

Johnny is a gravedigger. He has dug the final resting places for about 20, 000people, each grave __________ a half feet deep in __________, frozen ground. “I treat everybody as if it were my family I’m burying,” he said. He is so respected that funeral directors arrange their schedules around his __________ .

So maybe it’s not __________ that Johnny often finds himself in a position to lend a hand. That night Johnny and his wife were __________ when the band played an old song. They turned around for one more slow dance. Minutes later, the gravedigger saved a life.

1.

A．fingers

B．muscle

C．stomach

D．throat

2.

A．crashed

B．landed

C．jumped

D．settled

3.

A．rubbed

B．narrowed

C．dropped

D．rolled

4.

A．backed off

B．stepped forward

C．moved on

D．set out

5.

A．gradually

B．instantly

C．finally

D．clearly

6.

A．yelling

B．pounding

C．pushing

D．weighing

7.

A．held

B．heard

C．felt

D．drew

8.

A．abandoning

B．joining

C．burying

D．hiding

9.

A．easy

B．precious

C．extraordinary

D．simple

10.

A．death

B．danger

C．sadness

D．fortune

11.

A．covering

B．controlling

C．crossing

D．measuring

12.

A．hard

B．vast

C．protected

D．ruined

13.

A．popularity

B．generosity

C．availability

D．responsibility

14.

A．common

B．surprising

C．reasonable

D．disappointing

15.

A．dancing

B．walking

C．leaving

D．talking

10 . Let’s say you want to purchase a camera, and you’re comparing two different advertisements. In one, the pictures, colors, and instructions make the information easy to read. The other has an unclear style that takes more time for you to understand. If you decide to purchase the second camera with the more confusing advertisement, new research out of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute shows that, over time, you’ll likely be happier with your choice.

In a paper co-authored by Gaurav Jain, an assistant professor of marketing in the Lally School of Management at Rensselaer, researchers found that nonstop stimuli (刺激), or the difficulty for an individual to process a message, increases people’s attitudes toward that message after a time delay.

“This research has a real-life impact,” Jain said. “Most of the time, marketing communicators try to make their message clear. What we learned, however, is that there are certain times, especially when people need to make choices, when we should actually use nonstop stimuli so that whatever people are choosing, they will like it once time has passed.”

Using primary data collection designed by Jain of about 500 diverse individuals, researchers also found that consumers judge the time spent in the decision-making process wrongly. Rather than recognizing that the lengthy decision came from trying to understand the information, when looking back on the process, consumers instead believe they spent the time on making the decision. This leads the consumer to believe the decision they made was informed and worthy.

These findings are meaningful for marketing communications in many fields.

“When people are making decisions,” Jain said, “like choosing insurance products, retirement funds, or even when choosing an elected official, marketers and designers need to remember that if we can make an individual spend some time in that choosing process, it’s more likely people will stick with the option they chose over time.”

Jain says that when consumers’ attitudes about a product increase, the impact on post-purchase decisions like returns and reviews of the product will be more favorable to the brand.

1. How does the author introduce the topic?

A．By listing figures.	B．By giving examples.
C．By using others’ words.	D．By showing people’s reviews.

2. What should marketing communicators do according to Gaurav Jain?

A．Make their message short.

B．Make their message attractive.

C．Make their message easy to understand.

D．Make their message hard to understand.

3. In which aspect can this discovery be used for marketers?

A．Writing a paper.	B．Selling a product.
C．Choosing a camera.	D．Designing a new brand.

4. Which of the following could be the best title for the text?

A．Time Delay: What is it

B．Suggestions to the Marketers

C．How to Make Consumers Happy

D．Difficult Decision, Satisfactory Choice